1. Love divine, all loves excelling,
Joy of heav'n, to earth come down!
Fix in us thy humble dwelling,
all thy faithful mercies crown.
Jesus, thou art all compassion,
pure, unbounded love thou art;
visit us with thy salvation,
enter ev'ry trembling heart.
2. Breathe, oh, breathe thy loving Spirit
into ev'ry troubled breast;
let us all in thee inherit;
let us find thy promised rest.
Take away the love of sinning;
Alpha and Omega be;
end of faith, as its beginning,
set our hearts at liberty.
3. Come, Almighty, to deliver;
let us all thy life receive;
suddenly return, and never,
nevermore thy temples leave.
Thee we would be always blessing,
serve thee as thy hosts above,
pray, and praise thee without ceasing,
glory in thy perfect love.
4. Finish then thy new creation,
pure and spotless let us be;
let us see thy great salvation
perfectly restored in thee!
Changed from glory into glory,
till in heav'n we take our place,
till we cast our crowns before thee,
lost in wonder, love, and praise!
***
Jesus has entered into the world or as Eugene Peterson translates, "The Word became flesh and blood, and moved into the neighborhood." (John 1:14; The Message). Jesus enters into every trembling heart and offers pure, unbounded love. This was true in the beginning when Jesus walked the earth, and is still true today.
We share Jesus with all people who are willing to listen--in the neighborhood, online, at church and in our kitchen. In verse one, the words, "fix in us" remind me of the great Shema "Hear, O Israel: The Lord is our God, the Lord alone. You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul and with all your might. Keep these words that I am commanding you today in your heart. Recite them to your children and talk about them when you are at home and when you are away, when you lie down and when you rise. Bind them as a sign on your hand, fix them as an emblem on your forehead and write them on the doorposts of your house and on your gates." (Deuteronomy 6:4-9).
Share the love of Jesus with others.
In Jesus love has come down to earth and has taken up residence in our life. Help us to welcome Jesus and share his love and forgiveness with all whom we encounter. Amen.
Micah Pearson, '14
Pastor at Woodlake Lutheran Church, Richfield, Minn.
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